So Now You Are an Energy Manager…Now What?

October 9, 2019 October 9, 2019

The world of facilities management has evolved to include a host of new technologies and capabilities. Facility managers have access to vast treasure troves of data, and after processing through advanced analytics, actionable data gives rise to a new type of manager, the Energy Manager. Unfortunately, the nomenclature can be confusing, and for existing Facility Managers, this new title is daunting. To succeed, Facility Managers need to understand the problems associated with either merging with or moving from a Facility Manager to this new title, why it is occurring, and a few key things that are critical to such success.

Problems With Moving From Facility Management to Energy Management

The problem with moving from Facility Manager to Energy Manager goes back to a “trial by fire” basis. Facility managers are tossed into the world of energy management. Figuring out the best way to make sense of information and responsibilities is difficult at best. This is in conjunction with little to no training on how to use applicable systems, such as the energy management system, so, the industry faces a significant hurdle. If facility managers cannot make the smooth transition, cost avoidance savings and improvements through energy management will fall short, and with more companies focused on energy-related cost reduction, subsequent plans fail. In addition, managers may lack access to utility bills, fail to understand how to review data within the energy management system, or lack a basic understanding of analytics. Unfortunately, the structural systems and activities used in energy management continue to evolve, and with rising commodity prices, uncertainty regarding regulations, the looming threat of climate change, increased pressure to reduce waste and new customer demands, explains Energy Manager Today, this new type of manager must take on a cross-functional role.

Why the Energy Manager Is the New Facility Manager

As explained by Environmental Science, new managers are responsible for evaluating energy use and the design, as well as the implementation of energy programs that reduce total cost of ownership and improve efficiency. Since a significant balance resides between facility asset efficiency and energy use, Energy Managers also will need to retain traditional facility management responsibilities.

For example, effective energy management includes redesigning of processes, such as maintenance schedules. The retrofitting of buildings and equipment with smart sensors can empower a new type of maintenance, proactive maintenance. As a result, the Energy Manager carries both the responsibilities of a traditional facility manager and the ability to drive energy costs, as well as waste, into retreat.

Top 5 Things Managers That Control Energy Need for Success

The key to success in the new role as an Energy Manager lies within instilling processes that facilitate change management and enable data-driven decision-making. These include:

Retrofitting facility assets as part of the energy management plan to aggregate data.

A means of evaluating the efficient utilization of space and its impact on building occupants.

Automated systems that generate alerts when anomalies occur and enable self-optimization of controls.

Build a Successful Path Forward as a Well-Rounded Manager With the Right Partner

Becoming an energy leader and manager can be overwhelming, but it is much easier than many realize. With the advancement of technology and capabilities through modern energy management systems, any Facility Manager can make the switch successfully. Of course, working with an effective and well-designed platform and management team will always lead to better outcomes. Instead of succumbing to fears of failure, Facility Managers should choose an energy partner, such as ENTOUCH, to succeed. Learn more about how you can be a successful Energy Manager by visiting ENTOUCH online or calling 1-800-820-3511 today.